First World War (1914-1918)
Canadians in the Royal Navy

Many Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the Royal Navy during the First World War, providing much needed personnel, and emphasizing the strong Imperial ties between both dominions and Great Britain.

"And it blew wondrous cold", Royal Naval Motor Boat Reserve

Sub-Lieutenant Douglas Urry, huddled in his duffle coat and cold weather clothing, poses aboard a motor launch.

Urry was one of many Canadians who served in the Royal Navy's motor launches, which were uncomfortable vessels in any bad weather. In winter, freezing sea spray left motor launch sailors frigid above deck, and little better off when they sought some warmth below. Urry's caption for this photograph is inspired by Samuel Coleridge's poem Rime of the Ancient Mariner: "And now there came both mist and snow/ And it grew wondrous cold."

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20030213-002_47